Stewart challenged Surratt in the 2009 election and failed to unseat the mayor, garnishing 45 percent of the votes compared to 55 percent for Surratt. One year later, Stewart defeated Jamie Dunnigan for his place on the school board by the same percentage of votes, 55 percent for Stewart and 45 percent for Dunnigan.

When asked if a current School Board member could legally run for another public office, City Attorney Curtis Soileau said there is no current ordinance, code, or policy that prohibits a non-paid school board member from running for another non-paid elected position in either Lumberton City Ordinances or Lumberton ISD Policies.

Soileau said there has never been a similar situation arise in Lumberton politics, to the best of his knowledge, where a sitting school board member has opted to run for another elected position.

City and school election information is as follows:

Lumberton

Lumberton early voting will be held each weekday at Lumberton Administration Building, 121 S. Main, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Apr. 30 through Sat, May 5, 2012. Also, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Monday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 8.

Sour Lake early voting times not confirmed. Early voting will be held at City Hall. City and School elections on Election Day will be held at the Community Center, China Elementary, Nome, and Pinewood.

City of Sour Lake

Three positions up for election, including Mayor and two at-large alderperson positions. No candidates filed at this time.